Jennifer Holloway, Olga Bezsmertna & Matthias Goerne Lead Baltic Opera Festival’s 2025 Season

The Baltic Opera Festival has announced its 2025 season, which will be held in Sopot and Gdańsk. Jennifer Holloway, Gerhard Siegel, Claudia Mahnke, Oleksandr Pushniak, and Omer Kobiljak star in Strauss’ “Salome.” Lothar Zagrosek conducts a Concept and Artistic Supervision by Tomasz Konieczny. Performance Dates: July 11 & 13, 2025 Alek Nowak’s “Monster’s voice” will be perfoemed. Performance Date: July 12, {…}

Apr 29, 2025

Elza van den Heever Leads Met Opera’s ‘Salome’ HD Transmission

(Credit: Evan Zimmerman / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera’s 2024–25 Live in HD season is set to continue with a new production of Strauss’ “Salome.” The transmission will be held on May 17, 2025 with soprano Elza van den Heever starring in the title role, alongside baritone Peter Mattei as Jochanaan. They will be joined by mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung as Herodias, alongside tenor Gerhard Siegel as {…}

Mar 19, 2025

Elza van den Heever & Peter Mattei Lead Metropolitan Opera’s New ‘Salome’

The Metropolitan Opera is set to present a new production of Strauss’ “Salome.” The opera opens on April 29 marking the first new Met production of the opera in more than 20 years. Claus Guth directs the production with an acclaimed cast that includes Elza van den Heever and Peter Mattei who reunite on the Met stage following Berg’s “Wozzeck” during {…}

Mar 12, 2025

Asmik Grigorian, Sonya Yoncheva, Judit Kutasi, Maximilian Schmitt, & Soloman Howard Star in George Enescu International Festival 2025

(Photo credits: Vedinaș, Behrmann, & Adjahoe) The George Enescu International Festival 2025 announces its star-studded lineup. This article only features vocal works. The opening concert features the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. Iosef Ion Prunner and Cristian Măcelaru conduct. Performance Date: August 24, 2025 Soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen performs with the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra under the direction of Keri-lynn Wilson. {…}

May 28, 2024

Opéra de Paris 2024 Review: Salome

(Photo: Charles Duprat / Opéra National de Paris) Whether you liked it or not, Lydia Steier’s “Salome” was the event of last season. Bleeding bodies, shooting guns, nudity, and rape; it was an R-rated “Salome.” Its provocations echoed both Wilde’s spirit and current discussions of gender, capitalism, and harassment. In this revival, the story is a bit different. The true {…}

Oct 9, 2021

Gerhard Siegel & Cheryl Studer Lead Staatsoper Stuttgart’s ‘Condemnation of Lucullus’

On Nov. 1, Staatsoper Stuttgart will open a new production of Paul Dessau‘s “Condemnation of Lucullus.” The production will be staged by the theatrical collective Hauen und Stechen will star Gerhard Siegel in the title role of Lucullus. Legendary soprano Cheryl Studer will also star in the work as Tertullia alongside many of Staatsoper’s ensemble singers including Friedemann Röhlig, Alina Adamski, Torsten {…}

Jun 7, 2021

Iréne Theorin, Michael Volle, Tomasz Konieczny, Stefan Vinke Headline MÜPA Budapest’s June Streaming Slate

MÜPA Budapest has announced its streaming slate for the month of June. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be mainly on operatic performances, all of them coincidentally (or not) of Wagner works. First up will be “Wagner Magic I.” which will star Iréne Theorin, Annette Dasch, Tomasz Konieczny, and Magnus Vigilius as they take on music from {…}

Jun 5, 2021

Erwin Schrott, Willard White, Matthew Polenzani & Klára Kolonits Lead Hungarian State Opera’s 2021-22 Season

The Hungarian State Opera has announced its 2021-22 season featuring new productions, revivals, and concerts. Here is a look: Premiere Andrea Szántó stars in Calixto Bieto’s new production of Bizet’s “Carmen.” The opera also features Szabolcs Brickner , Kinga Kriszta, Gábor Bretz , and Zoltá Nagy . Balázs Kocsár conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 3-Oct. 10, 2021 Beethoven/Strauss’ “König Stephan / {…}

May 18, 2021

Angel Blue, Renée Fleming, Eva-Maria Westbroek, Anita Rachvelishvilli, Matthew Polenzani Lead Opéra de Paris 2021-22 Season

(Photo Credits: Emma Birski / OnP) Opéra National de Paris has announced its 2021-22 season. Here is the full slate. Operas “The Seven Deaths of Maria Callas” by Marina Abramovic will open the season. The showcase stars Nadezhda Karyazina, Selene Zanetti, Leah Hawkins, Adela Zaharia, Lauren Fagan, Gabriella Reyes, and Hera Hyesang Park. Yoel Gamzou conducts. Performance dates: Sep. 1 {…}

Feb 16, 2021

Riccardo Chailly Replaces Zubin Mehta in ‘Salome’ at Teatro Alla Scala

(Credit: Riccardo Chailly’s official website) Riccardo Chailly, Music Director of the Teatro alla Scala, will replace famed conductor Zubin Mehta for the live-streamed performance of Richard Strauss’ “Salome” on Feb. 20, 2021. Per an official press release, Mehta was discharged from the hospital on Jan. 15 in good health and there was hope that the conductor would be able to {…}

Feb 14, 2021

Conductor Zubin Mehta Hospitalized in Milan

(Credit: LA Philharmonic) Maestro Zubin Mehta was taken to hospital after he felt sick during a rehearsal of Strauss’ “Salome” on Feb. 13. The first medical check-ups were performed, and Italian doctors believe that Maestro Mehta suffers from accumulated stress due to the numerous work commitments. Mehta, who suffered from a kidney tumor in recent years and has since recovered, {…}

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